NBA Rookie Of The Year Rankings – February 2014

In our last rankings, we had a new candidate emerge in the form of Utah’s Trey Burke, that has a legitimate shot at dethroning Philly’s Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo atop the monthly Rookie Rankings.

In the 2014 calendar year, Burke has continued his meteoric rise, pulling even or even nudging past Oladipo in some eyes to rank 2nd for February.

But the biggest mover this month has to be the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been arguably the lone bright spot in Milwaukee’s disappointing season.

Other rookies like New York’s Tim Hardaway Jr, Boston’s Kelly Olynyk, and OKC’s Steven Adams continue to has impressive first years in the Association.

Just cracking our list this month is LA Lakers rookie Ryan Kelly, who has been tearing it up as of late on the West coast.

Check out THD’s NBA Rookie Rankings for February 2014.…..

Atlanta Hawks

Undrafted

5.8 ppg, 3.4 reb, .428 FG%, 367 3PT%

Previous – NR

The average fan may not have heard of the31 year old, heavily tattooed big man but the former European star has found his groove in January, averaging 12.7 ppg, 7.7 rebounds, and shooting .542% from the field. Antic was selected to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge but may miss out due to injury.

LA Lakers

#48 Pick in 2013 NBA Draft

7.6 ppg, 3.2 reb, .427 FG%, .338 3PT%, .851 FT%

Previous – NR

Thanks in part to the myriad of injuries to the entire Lakers roster, the former Duke standout has been getting some regular playing time and in turn has been on fire, averaging 15.7 ppg in February, including a career high 26 points against Cleveland.

Sacramento Kings

7th Pick in 2013 NBA Draft

7.7 ppg, 2.8 reb, 1 ast, .364 FG%, .335 3PT%, .885 FT%

Previous – 4

The former Kansas standout has undeniably had an up-and-down rookie season to date. He’s been on a downswing lately, scoring in single digits in 7 of his last 10 games, including not scoring more than 8 points in 6 straight.

OKC Thunder

12th Pick in 2013 NBA Draft

3.4 ppg, 4.4 reb, 1 blk, .481 FG%

Previous – 6

Adams may not put up the gaudy stats as a few others on our list but he ranks 3rd among rookies in rebounding and provides an athletic low post presence for the Thunder, when Kendick Perkins becomes ineffective against smaller lineups.

Boston Celtics

#13 Pick in 2013 NBA Draft

6.5 ppg, 4.3 reb, 1.6 ast, .423 FG%, .308 3PT%, .814 FT%

Previous – 8

The 7 foot, athletic big man out of Gonzaga has shown promise this season when not injured. He’s gotten inconsistent playing time but clearly has the talent to be a good NBA player with some seasoning, as evidence of his 11 point, 9 rebound, 5 assist effort last week vs Sacramento.

New York Knicks

#24 Pick in 2013 NBA Draft

9.3 ppg, 1.4 reb, .460 FG%, .396 3PT%, .823 FT%

Previous – 5

Hardaway Jr continues to impress, potentially making Iman Shumpert trade bait by the deadline. He’s averaged an impressive 13.6 ppg over his last 10 contests, including a career high 29 points against Cleveland.

Milwaukee Bucks

#15 Pick in the 2013 NBA Draft

7.3 ppg, 4.5 reb, 1.8 ast, .447 FG%, ..313 3PT%

Previous – 9

The “Greek Freak” has been way better than expected especially for being the youngest player currently in the NBA at 19 years old. Giannis has been inconsistent but has shown flashes of just how good he can be, like his 13 point, 11 rebound, 5 assist, and 2 block effort vs OKC.

Orlando Magic

#2 Pick in the 2013 NBA Draft

13.8 ppg, 4.4 reb, 4 ast, 1.6 stl, .413 FG%, .296 3PT%, 772 FT%

Previous – 2

It’s not that Oladipo has been playing bad, he’s averaging nearly 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists over his last 10 games but it’s that Utah’s Trey Burke is playing at an unreal level. He’s scored in double figures in 10 of the last 11 games, highlighted by a 24 point, 7 board, 7 assist game vs Atlanta.

Utah Jazz

#9 Pick in the 2013 NBA Draft

12.7 ppg, 5.6 ast, 3.1 reb, .371 FG%, .337 3PT%, .906 FT%

Previous – 3

Prior to getting over an illness this past week, Burke has been spectacular, posting 2 double-doubles in January. Most impressive was his 30 point, 8 assist, and 7 board masterpiece in a head-to-head match-up against Oladipo and the Orlando Magic in mid January.

Philadelphia 76ers

#11 Pick in the 2013 NBA Draft

17 ppg, 6.6 ast, 5.4 reb, 2.2 stls, .397 FG%, .296 3PT%, .699 FT%

Previous – 1

MCW continues to put up monster numbers and distance himself from the field, aided by being named Eastern Conference NBA Rookie of the Month for January, a mark he also won in October and November. In spite of the Sixers continuing to pile up losses, Carter-Williams continues to shine, notching 2 double-doubles since January 1st and set a new career high with 33 points against Cleveland.